Best way to view pc content on my tv screen?

ferret face

ferret face

ferret face

Associate
Joined
22 Jan 2004
Posts
1,113
Hi guys,

I am a complete newb to this so please forgive me...

I want to be able to view all my videos and divx/xvid files that currently reside on my pc on my tv screen. The way i do it at the moment is that i burn my video files to DVD and play them in my DVD/DIVX player.

Is there an easy way to view my pc content on the tv via a magic box that connects to my pc via wifi or cables?

Or is there another solution?

Many thanks
Ferret
 
There are a number of 'Media Extenders' which allow you to stream media from a "Server" (Which can simply be your PC), across a lan and then to your TV and HiFi.

Some have integrated wireless, some are simple 100BaseTX ethernet. Some are HiDef, other Standard Def etc. All depends how much you want to spend, and what features are important.

I got a pretty cheap one, which included a 320gig hard drive, so it can be used when the PC is turned off. Only Standard def, although it does support progressive component outputs. Rather clunky user interface though.. Anyway there are a large number of different boxes available.

Always possible to just connect the PC directly to the TV as well.
 
ok thanks guys,

I only have a Sony crt tv that has scart connectors and loads of jack plugs in the back (sorry told you i was a noob).

I like the sounds of a box i can stream video to, can you suggest one for me? Also is it possible to stream it via wifi through my router?

Cheers

Ferret
 
Last edited:
I used to run a vga cable from my HDTV to a 2nd vga card in my pc. Using ffdshow I could upscale/post-process all content nicely before displaying it on the Tele. Now, since the Dec xbox360 update, I just use the 360 as a media streamer as it saves a lot of faffing around.
 
so if i just buy an xbox i can plug it into my tv and stream anything i want from my pc to the xbox and it will work perfectly on the tv screen?

If so the I'm getting one ASAP

Cheers
Ferret
 
Theoretically yes but checkout the related Dec update thread in the console games forum. Not all content works - older xvid and divx content may not play as the 360 is a bit fussy about the sound codec in use. Later stuff appears to work fine and mkv files can be easily converted into a compatible format.

If you're on about getting a cheap xbox then I have no idea as I've no experience of using the original xbox as a media extender.
 
Aye, if you got an original xbox, it needs to be 'modified' so to speak. With xbmc on there it plays pretty much everything. All audio codecs, all video codecs, pictures etc.
 
Wow, now I'm really confused (again, I told you i was a noob). I don't really want to be modifying anything, i just want something that works.

My pc is in one room and my tv is in another, I guess i will go with what Alle suggested as this seems the simplest. So it seems the freecom is the best/simplest solution, no?

Thanks Ferret
 
ferret face said:
Wow, now I'm really confused (again, I told you i was a noob). I don't really want to be modifying anything, i just want something that works.

My pc is in one room and my tv is in another, I guess i will go with what Alle suggested as this seems the simplest. So it seems the freecom is the best/simplest solution, no?

Thanks Ferret
Click to expand...

If your using a big CRT, it isn't guna work out I don't think.
 
ferret face said:
willd58, can you tell me why please?

I dont want to waste my money

Thanks
Click to expand...

A big CRT doesn't work the same way an LCD or Plasma would, the resolutions are ridiculously low on a CRT TV.

I'm not sure what they are exactly, you'll have to find someone who can back this up when it comes to technological explanations, but im pretty positive it would look terrible on a Standard Definition set.
 
If you want a box that plays files like this, then you can't go far wrong buying a modified XBox. Of course you will have to tinker a bit with FTP etc. but I am assuming you are smart enough to know how to.

Check on the bay or classifieds forums for people selling modified original (not the 360) Xboxes. Many of these have upgraded (bigger) hard drives and are basically like a mini-PC that you can cable into with a Crossover cable, and transfer media across.

It would be a lot cheaper than a proprietary media player like the MVix or TVix (google these) from KJ-Global. I have a modified X-box with XBMC and it is utterly awesome for playing back TV-Shows and movies.

Alternatively, buy a DVD recorder capable of playing DIVX files etc. and burn your files onto DVD <- not my preferred solution.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom